Sparkling Wine with Lemon Thyme Sorbet

I know what you're thinking.  

Mother's Day was yesterday... Easter is long gone... and sadly, the weekend is over...so why in the world am I sharing this elegant fizzy beverage on a plebeian Monday?  

The truth is, I couldn't resist.  

I made this lovely drink over the weekend to share with friends and to honor my wonderful mother (whom I missed dearly on Mother's Day - too bad we can't share a hug over Skype!).  I figured if it turned out well, I would just keep it as an ace in my pocket to share with you for the next holiday or celebration.  But then I started making the Lemon Thyme Sorbet...and it was fresh and sweet and tart all at the same time.  Once the first frozen spoonful hit my tongue, the corners of my mouth turned up in a smile - the flavor was just somehow happy.

Then I got a little inspired and decided to put some sorbet in lemon 'cups,' and well, it was all downhill from there.  I was completely smitten by the taste, but the overall cuteness factor was just too much for me - and I hadn't even gotten to the wine yet.   

Lemon Thyme Sorbet, in lemon cups. 

Garnished with a little thyme, this would be the perfect special-occasion dessert.

Speaking of wine, I don't mean to brag, but I made an excellent choice - La Marca Prosecco. (Shh... I was actually helped by the recommendation of an awesome saleslady, but we'll just say I have good good taste.)  La Marca Prosecco got a rating of 90 points by Wine Spectator, and they describe it as such: 

"This sparkling wine is a pale, golden straw in color.  Bubbles are full textured and persistent.  On the nose, the wine brings fresh citrus with hints of honey and white flowers.  The flavor is fresh and clean, with ripe citrus, lemon, green apple, and touches of grapefruit, minerality, and some toast.  The finish is light, refreshing, and crisp."

I loved everything about it, and their description was right on.  However, they forgot to mention just how beautiful the bottle is.  The Tiffany blue label whispers spring (you know I love that color), and paired with the silver foil, it is really elegant.  But the real beauty is hidden to the eye until you remove the foil - only then can you see the lovely and colorful castle that serves as a covering for the cork cage.     

Beautiful La Marca Prosecco.

Colorful cork cage made me think of princesses and knights in shining armor.  

(This was a keeper.)

Prosecco just after pouring, and flowers from a friend's garden.

So I have told you that I adored the Lemon Thyme Sorbet, I swooned over La Marca Prosecco, but the real magic happened when I combined them together.  Adding a few small scoops of the sorbet makes the Prosecco fizz and bubble all over again, and the chilled beverage means the sorbet doesn't start to melt immediately - it is more of a slow-dissolving effect that permeates your drink with the perfect touch of sweetness and a tart finish.  

Lots of fizz and bubbles after adding the sorbet! 

The sorbet will melt slowly, and you can add as much or as little as you like.

On a sunny late afternoon, this was the perfect refreshing drink. 

So I know.  I am really teasing you with this at the beginning of your work week, but like I said, I couldn't hold out on you.  The La Marca Prosecco was exceptional, the Lemon Thyme Sorbet is refreshing, and combined they were magical... so why wait for a special occasion?  This drink is elegant and sophisticated, but so easy that you could decide to make any day special.  Sometimes simplest things are the best. 

In fact, party on a Tuesday.  Make this for your next girls night while you watch Grey's Anatomy in your PJs.  Treat yourself to a glass after a long, hard week at work.  And you certainly don't need to wait until next year to honor mom again - raise a glass to her any day, because she deserves to be celebrated everyday.      

You might also like: Fresh Berries with Limoncello and Lemon-Honey Yogurt or, A Luxury Dinner with Lemon, Leeks, and Lamb

One year ago: Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

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Sparkling Wine with Lemon Thyme Sorbet
I made this with Prosecco, but you could really use any good quality Brut sparkling wine.  I also made my own Lemon Thyme Sorbet, but if you don't want to make your own or are in a pinch, you can just substitute any real-fruit sorbet of your choice.  And lastly, I served this in champagne flutes, but I can imagine making it a little more whimsical buy serving it almost like a root beer float - in a regular glass with a spoon and a fun straw.  


1 bottle of Prosecco (I can recommend La Marca), or other Italian, French or Spanish brut sparkling wine
Lemon Thyme Sorbet (recipe below) or purchased Lemon Sorbet


Pour Prosecco into a glass of your choice until it is about 2/3 full.  Add 2-3 small scoops of lemon thyme sorbet into each glass (be careful so it doesn't bubble over the top!), and serve immediately.


Lemon Thyme Sorbet


2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
3/4 cups of sugar
1 large bunch of fresh thyme, tied with kitchen string
2-3 tablespoons limoncello (optional*)


In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and about 1 cup of the lemon juice; stir over medium heat, just until the sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat, add the bunch of thyme to the liquid, submerging completely.  Cover the saucepan, and let stand at room temperature for at least two hours or refrigerated overnight.  Once the mixture is cooled, squeeze the bunch of thyme to extract as much flavor as possible, and then discard it.  Add the remaining 1 cup lemon juice and limoncello, stirring to mix.  Freeze the sorbet in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions, or freeze in your freezer.  If you freeze in an ice cream maker, transfer to a container and freeze in the freezer until it firms up (at least 2 hours or overnight). 


*Adding limoncello is optional, and you can completely leave it out for a non-alcoholic version.  However, adding a little alcohol does improve the texture of homemade sorbet by making it a little smoother and less 'icy.'